The difference between recovering a stuck vehicle and transporting it after recovery.
Winching is used to move a vehicle from a position where it cannot drive or be loaded normally, such as snow, mud, a ditch or an awkward off-road position.
Towing transports the vehicle after it is accessible and can be safely loaded or connected to the towing equipment.
A vehicle may first need to be winched to stable ground and then loaded for transport. Photos of the scene can help the towing company plan the recovery.